The Pilgrim Path---Psalm 100 (5--24--20)

"Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations."

Several publications have pointed out lately that church buildings may be closed---but the Church of Jesus Christ is actually open. How true this is. The Lord's people are reaching out, touching people in Jesus' Name--- helping in Jesus' Name---ministering in His Name---loving in His Name. We may not have met in a facility "together"---but Gospel endeavors continue. Personally, I've seen many souls in "small" boxes on a computer screen---they still represent actual people. Now, that will all change soon. Services of some sort will start with people assembling together. What you need to consider is your "contribution" to the ongoing Body Life of Christ's Church. Over the next weeks and months---how will you serve? I'm not really writing this so much for the people that have made regular commitment of their gifts (time, talent) a vital part of their Church engagement. I'm composing this for those who tend to, "look on" and then go on, after they have benefitted from the Church. How will you support the Church in its worship and work---until the end of 2020? I hope you say, "Wow---if I've learned anything in this Pandemic---I've learned this: I'm going to serve the LORD with gladness!"

Here's Spurgeon's take on serving the LORD like this:

---The child of God works not for life, but from life; not to be saved, but because he is saved...

---The child of God serves with gladness because he's been delivered from cruel bondage---the service of sin and Satan---to new service in Jesus: The Master of Peace...

---The child of God has a new nature---therefore he cannot be idle. Full of love for God, he must serve the King...

---The child of God has such a sense of honor in service: How wonderful that God would allow a creature to serve Him?

---The child of God knows he is following His LORD: The Savior was a servant---I'm so glad to follow Him!

---The child of God knows that grace has promised a reward. Just to hear the Living Christ say, "Well done, good and faithful servant..." will be enough!

No matter how menial the task---I will contribute for Jesus' sake...

From John Newton: "If two angels were to receive at the same moment a commission from God, one to go down and rule earth's grandest empire, the other to go and sweep the streets of its meanest village, it would be a matter of entire indifference to each which service fell to his lot, the post of the ruler or the post of scavenger; for the joy of the angels lies only in obedience to God's will."

"But remember that service costing nothing accomplishes nothing. And even though serving God can be agonizing and exhausting work, it is also the most fulfilling and rewarding kind of work. In John 4: 34 we read where Jesus has been talking with the woman of Samaria. He's been walking all day. He's tired, thirsty, and hungry. And its all because He's been serving the Father. While He's resting at the well near Sychar, this Samaritan woman comes to the well. They talk and her life is changed forever. As she goes back into Sychar to tell others about Jesus, His disciples return from town, where they've been to buy food. When they offer some to Him He says, "My food ...is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."...Serving God is work, but there's no work so rewarding." Donald S. Whitney

"No one can long worship God in spirit and in truth before the obligation to holy service becomes too strong to resist." A. W. Tozer

"Let him make anything out of me, so being he be glorified in my salvation: for I know I am made for him." Samuel Rutherford

"You are not your own; you were bought at a price" (I Corinthians 6: 19-20). This indeed makes obedience a delight, a way to know, serve, please, and come to resemble the one whose sacrificial love for us endures forever. Tim Keller

Teach me, my God and King,

In all things Thee to see,

And what I do in anything,

To do it as for Thee.

George Herbert (1593--1633)

Grace & Peace in Jesus Christ Our LORD, Pastor Jason